Another Tale of a Normal Person Who Rose From Obscurity...

Karlie Kloss-"To say that Karlie Kloss is straddling two worlds would be putting it mildly. On one hand, she's reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby for her eleventh-grade English class, she drinks hot chocolate, not coffee, and she recently go her driver's license enthusing, 'I cruise around to absolutely nowhere!' On the other hand, she's the new face of fashion. She logged more than 150,000 airline miles just in the last year, is on a first-name basis with Karl Langerfeld, and is considered by some to be the next great American supermodel".
-Source: May 2010 issue Teen Vogue magazine

While my first tale serves to teach that it is never too late to do what you dream of and to be willing to take chances, this tale serves to inspire a younger generation that they too can become whatever they desire. However, it gives a bit of an idealistic view on the world. If one does not genuinely have talent or skill of some sort, he or she is not likely to succeed; Kloss was a natural whose rise to fame occurred at a gradual pace. In that sense, the fashion industry and its many facets serve to provide an alternate reality where everyone is to be equal. Youthful persons may have unrealistic expectations of themselves that overall can result in a bit of a disillusioned society if many people are affected. Reality shows may at times lead people to believe that one can achieve success and fame in the industry in a matter of weeks.

"I never imagined myself doing this. Doors opened for me and I ran for it."-WWD Beauty Biz

NOTE: I found another story of a young person acheiving success in the fashion industry. This is similar save for the fact the girl is a ten year old designer, not model. She has already been a guest at New York Fashion Week (trailed by a German TV crew), launched a e-commerce site and garnered corporate sponsors and interest from several TV producers. Cassini remained focused from a very young age and acheived success quickly. "She just wants to sew dresses and inspire other kids" her manager commented.